Packard Forum Index » Project Blogs

Quote:
That's the problem. It is already titled as an antique. In Pa, you can transfer an existing antique plate if owner signs a release form and send 4 color pics of car and $75. In my case, release form is not an option and car wouldn't have passed visual inspection then. I'm going to try applying for a new antique plate as that seems my only option. These are the pics I'll send. If they don't pass, then it'll have to wait until more work is done. Typically, I get regular title and plate for a couple years until everything is up to par then go antique. That way I can drive it a bit more often.

Attach file:

---

  (168.63 KB)


  (148.22 KB)


  (169.32 KB)


  (196.09 KB)

Don't know what the definition of antique is there but here is older than 39 years--and some big restrictions on driving with antique (or historical) plates if you do go that route.

No pics necessary to apply but an inspection is done and they might take their own. All I can say is if your pics don't please them, then they are one picky bunch of SOB's--unless they inspect and find nothing but ground under the carpet.

I've seen lots newer cars looking lots worse from your part of the country. Was in Chicago area one year and a car passed on the expressway with the front fender flapping because it had rusted away--but it was licensed.

Good God, do you have to stand in rows and salute the Fuhrer of Pennsylvania while you do this? I just go down to the DMV here, show 'em my paperwork, pay them $80 for tags, title and registration, then leave and my title gets mailed to me two weeks later. The reason why it was that expensive is that I used a 1948 tag for the tag on my car, which is considered a "personalized" tag, and costs more. It would have been about $45 total if I would have used one of their tags.

I guess I'm lucky with Kansas and their laws concerning older cars.

My attempt at registration cost $93 plus photo developing. This has eaten about 11 hours of time this week. They're trying to just pass it through without pics since it's already branded as antique on the title. If that doesn't work, then I'll resend it with the pics at no additional cost. Her interpretation of the form was that we could send it that way and she rathered do that since she said that cars that looked better in pics have been denied. Essentially, they want it to look as good as it did in 1948. No cracks in glass, no dents, no mismatched paint and no rust. Also, no aftermarket wheels or incorrect hubcaps. If this attempt fails, the car will have to remain idle until I get it painted and some rechroming done.
The upside is that they've actually lowered the standards. You used to have to provide photos of the interior and the engine bay as well. No modifications are allowed unless undetectable by eye.

As an afterthought, I have 2 additional options if denied.
1: use pics of the same year, make, model car in better shape
2: send title out as salvage and then get a reconstructed title.
Or wait however long to recondition the appearance. Probably take me 2 to 3 years. Either way, the options all suck...

Why not try to get it registered in another state under a regular title, and then transfer it back to PA? Have you checked with your local Auto Club, here in Calif they act as an agent of the DMV, and can help cut through the crap.

There's an easier way to do this.

First off, what number was the car previously titled with? The actual serial number, the engine number, the anti-theft number, or the body number? I titled my '48 by the anti-theft number since mine was missing the serial tag. What you can do if none of this works out is re-try this with a different number and apply for a lost title. OR, I can do this for you and get you a Kansas title that you can have transferred to Pa. Let me know if I can help!

Being from Pa I think you need a different person doing your title and plate paper work. I had no problem having mine transferred at AAA gave them 4 pics she said if the pics were not satisfactory the state would need more but they usually go thru with no problem if the people doing the work accept them. I know my brother had no problem doing his car in Jan with a messenger service and his car came from out of state. . I would go to a different group to get title work completed.

Quote:
Thanks. Before I try anything like that, I'll see how my last effort works. Especially after the expense. Alabama does something similar with titles. Mine's currently titled with the serial number, 2262... etc. I've even bought a car from Illinois from someone deceased that so far hasn't caused a problem although I haven't got that one back either. Sounds like you've got a good method.
From what I've been reading, seems most likely that the folks doing the title work might be just filing wrong.

During this week, I sent out the fuel pump to Then & Now for rebuilding as my $10 home job only lasted 70 miles. That was enough to get the mechanicals sorted out. Then & Now called yesterday to say pump was ready and to get my numbers for payment. Bill was $137.50. They called back 5 minutes later to say the payment was declined. I checked with my bank and found out why. Then & Now had made a decimal point error and had charged $1375.00! After another phone call, everything was straightened out and fuel pump is on it's way home. Good thing I don't keep much more than I need in that account or I could've wound up with the most expensive fuel pump in history!